Aspiring Chef Dwayne Sinclair of Temple Christian High School once again emerged winner of the National All-Island Senior Young Chef competition sponsored by Mahatma Rice and Robin Hood Flour. He also placed first in the New Providence Senior Finals which is preliminary to the All Island Finals.
The Hon. Desmond Bannister MP, Minister of Education and Frank Comito, Executive Vice President of the Bahamas Hotel Association both addressed and congratulated all of the participants.
In winning the 2012 overall senior championship Dwayne scored 444 points for the Best Robin Hood Flour dish, “Island Pina Colada Upside Down Cake” and 447 points for the Best Mahatma Rice “Island Crack Conch Cannelloni with Julienne Vegetables”.
Placing second overall was Sherika Gibson of S.C. Bootle High School, Abaco, with 377 points for “Abaco Express” and 384 points for “Blackwood Delight”.
Third place went to Deja Burrows of Queens College, with 344 points for “Deja’s Creamy Mango Rice Pudding with Tropical Fruit Salsa” and 384 points for her “Island Conch and Crawfish Tart with a Mango- Curry Sauce”.
Stevette Murphy of North Long Island High placed 4th with 373 points for “Poached Curry Grouper and Rice with Tangy Carrot and Onion Rings” and 353 points for “Steamed Bassava Delight and Pineapple Guava Sauce”.
In addition to medals, the National Young Senior Chef winners received cash prizes of $1,500 (1st), $750 (2nd), $300 (3rd) and $200 (4th) from Mahatma Rice and Robin Hood Flour, distributed in the Bahamas by Asa H. Pritchard Ltd.
Additional scholarship prizes were awarded to the top two winners Dwayne Sinclair of Temple Christian High School (who also won the Sr. New Providence Finals) (1st), and Sherika Gibson of S.C. Bootle High School (2tnd), Lincoln College of Technology awarded these two 12th grade students respectively with $10,000 and $5,000 scholarships.
Judges at the Senior Contest were: – Chef Edwin Johnson, Sapodillas Restaurant; Chef Emmanuel Gibson, Atlantis; Debbie Wheeler, Manager of Test Kitchens for Mahatma Rice; and Chefs David Pantone and Manfred Schmidte of Lincoln College of Technology.
Chef Edwin Johnson who’s been with the competition since it’s inception 20 years ago, noted that “Organizational skills have developed and improved tremendously as well as overall presentation including balance, colour, knife skills, sanitation, nutritional value and the incorporation and utilization of indigenous products. The students seem to be more relaxed and confident overall.”
The sponsors’ products, Mahatma Rice and Robin Hood Flour, are distributed in the Bahamas by Asa H. Pritchard Ltd. In addition to providing almost $4,000 in prizes each year, the sponsors also provide transportation to Nassau for each contestant with his or her teacher/coach; and cash stipends for Teachers and contestants to assist with the purchase of supplies.
The Hon. Desmond Bannister MP, Minister of Education was on hand to distribute the awards. Minister Bannister noted “I take great pride in the diligence of the students who participate in this Young Chef Championship. You are so focused. This tells us you are passionate and to have that quality so early, says you will stay on track. You show great potential for a rewarding future.
Thank you to Keith Parker for the vision 20 years ago to begin this venture. Many participants are already in the industry or teaching in our schools. Many are giving back to the nation.” Keith Parker, President of P.S. Advertising and Public Relations, organises the competition each year, in co-operation with Sharon Ferguson, of the Ministry of Education.
By P.S. Advertising
